Display apparatus

ABSTRACT

A display apparatus includes a backlight assembly, a driving circuit part, and a display panel. The backlight assembly emits light. The driving circuit part receives an image signal, converts the image signal into image data, and generates a driving signal based on the image data. The display panel includes at least one pixel in which a plurality of sub-pixels is arranged in a two row by four column array, wherein the panel receives the light to display an image in response to the driving signal, wherein two sub-pixels of the sub-pixels arranged in a first row of the array each comprise a white color filter and two sub-pixels of the sub-pixels arranged in a second row of the array each comprise a white color filter.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/523,135 filed on Jun. 14, 2012, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C.§119 to Korean Patent Application 10-2011-0087890 filed on Aug. 31,2011, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein intheir entireties.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a display apparatus. More particularly,the present invention relates to a display apparatus with improveddisplay quality.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

In general, a display apparatus includes a display panel through whichimages are viewed. The display panel may include a matrix of pixels eachincluding three sub-pixels. The three sub-pixels may include a red colorfilter, a green color filter, and a blue color filter that form acorresponding color when brightened. Each sub-pixel is driven by atransistor. The display apparatus controls the brightness in eachsub-pixel according to a charge stored in a capacitor in each sub-pixelwhich controls driving of the transistor.

In an effort to improve color reproducibility, that is, how closely thecolor on the display panel matches the color of the real thing;different types of pixel structures have been suggested. However, whenusing sub-pixel configurations having colors different from the red,green, and blue sub-pixels, the brightness of a pixel may bedeteriorated.

Accordingly, there is a need for a display apparatus with improveddisplay quality.

SUMMARY

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a displayapparatus with improved brightness and color reproducibility.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a displayapparatus with reduced flicker and cross-talk.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a displayapparatus includes a backlight assembly emitting light, a drivingcircuit part receiving an image signal, converting the image signal intoimage data, and generating a driving signal based on the image data, anda display panel including at least one pixel in which a plurality ofsub-pixels is arranged in a two row by four column array, wherein thedisplay panel receives the light to display an image in response to thedriving signal. Two sub-pixels of the sub-pixels arranged in a first rowof the array each include a white color filter and two sub-pixels of thesub-pixels arranged in a second row of the array each include a whitecolor filter.

Four sub-pixels arranged in first and second columns of the array are afirst sub-pixel group, four sub-pixels arranged in third and fourthcolumns of the array are a second sub-pixel group, two sub-pixels of thefirst sub-pixel group each comprise one of the white color filters, oneof the remaining two sub-pixels of the first sub-pixel group comprises acolor filter having a first color, the other one of the remaining twosub-pixels of the first sub-pixel group comprises a color filter havinga second color different from the first color, two sub-pixels of thesecond sub-pixel group each comprise one the white color filters, one ofthe remaining two sub-pixels of the second sub-pixel group comprises acolor filter having a third color different from the first and secondcolors, and the other one of the remaining two sub-pixels of the secondsub-pixel group comprises a color filter having a fourth color differentfrom the first, second, and third colors.

The two sub-pixels including the white color filters of the firstsub-pixel group are arranged in different columns from each other, andthe two sub-pixels including the white color filters of the secondsub-pixel group are arranged in different columns from each other.

The remaining two sub-pixels of the first sub-pixel group are arrangedin different columns from each other, and the remaining two sub-pixelsof the second sub-pixel group are arranged in different columns fromeach other.

Among the first sub-pixel group, the sub-pixel arranged in the first rowand the first column is a first sub-pixel, the sub-pixel arranged in thefirst row and the second column is a second sub-pixel, the sub-pixelarranged in the second row and the first column is a third sub-pixel,and the sub-pixel arranged in the second row and the second column is afourth sub-pixel, and among the second sub-pixel group, the sub-pixelarranged in the first row and the third column is a fifth sub-pixel, thesub-pixel arranged in the first row and the fourth column is a sixthsub-pixel, the sub-pixel arranged in the second row and the third columnis a seventh sub-pixel, and the sub-pixel arranged in the second row andthe fourth column is an eighth sub-pixel, and each of the second, third,sixth, and seventh sub-pixels comprises one of the white color filters.

The pixel is provided in a plural number and the pixels are arranged inan N row by M column array, wherein each of N and M is a natural numberequal to or larger than 2.

The pixels arranged in a K-th column among the pixels arranged in the Nrow by M column array have the same color filter arrangement, where K isa natural number equal to or smaller than M.

The pixels arranged in a K-th column among the pixels arranged in the Nrow by M column array have the same color filter arrangement, where K isa natural number equal to or smaller than M.

The two sub-pixels including the white color filters of the firstsub-pixel group are arranged in the same column and the two sub-pixelsincluding the white color filters of the second sub-pixel group arearranged in the same column.

Each of the sub-pixels further includes a pixel electrode and thedriving signal includes data voltages to be applied to the pixelelectrodes. The two sub-pixels, each including the white color filter,of the sub-pixels arranged in the first row are applied with the datavoltages having polarities opposite to each other, and the twosub-pixels, each including the white color filter, of the sub-pixelsarranged in the second row are applied with the data voltages havingpolarities opposite to each other.

The backlight assembly includes at least one light source and a lightsource controller. The light source includes a first light emittingdevice emitting a red light, a second light emitting device emitting agreen light, and a third light emitting device emitting a blue light,and the light source controller receives the image data and drives thefirst, second, and third light emitting devices in a time divisionmanner according to brightness characteristics and color characteristicsof the image data.

The light source further comprises a fourth light emitting deviceemitting light having a color different from the red, green and bluelights of the first, second, and third light emitting devices, and thefourth light emitting device is driven in synchronization with at leastone of the first, second, and third light emitting devices.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a displayapparatus includes a backlight assembly emitting light, a drivingcircuit part receiving an image signal, converting the image signal intoimage data, and generating a driving signal based on the image data, anda display panel including at least one pixel in which a plurality ofsub-pixels is arranged in a two row by three column array, wherein thedisplay panel receives the light to display an image in response to thedriving signal. Two sub-pixels of the sub-pixels each include a whitecolor filter and four sub-pixels of the sub-pixels include color filtershaving different colors from each other.

The pixel is provided in a plural number on the display panel, thepixels are arranged in an N row by M column array, wherein each of N andM is a natural number equal to or larger than 2, and wherein the pixelsarranged in a K-th column of the pixels arranged in the N row by Mcolumn array comprise the same color filter arrangement, and K is anatural number equal to or smaller than M.

The pixels arranged in a (K−1)th column of the pixels arranged in the Nrow by M column array comprise the same color filter arrangement.

The two sub-pixels each including the white color filter are arranged ina second column of the two row by three column array in each of thepixels arranged in the K-th column and the (K−1)th column.

The color filters arranged in a first row of the two row by three columnarray of each of the pixels arranged in the (K−1)th column are arrangedin the same manner as the color filters arranged in a second row of thetwo row by three column array of each of the pixels arranged in the K-thcolumn, and the color filters arranged in the second row of the two rowby three column array of each of the pixels arranged in the (K−1)thcolumn are arranged in the same manner as the color filters arranged inthe first row of the two row by three column array of each of the pixelsarranged in the K-th column.

One of the two sub-pixels including the white color filter of each ofthe pixels arranged in the K-th column is arranged in a first row and afirst column of the two row by three column array, and the remaining oneof the two sub-pixels including the white color filter of each of thepixels arranged in the K-th column is arranged in the first row and athird column of the two row by three column array.

One of the two sub-pixels including the white color filter of each ofthe pixels arranged in the K-th column is arranged in a first row and afirst column of the two row by three column array, and the remaining oneof the two sub-pixels including the white color filter of each of thepixels arranged in the K-th column is arranged in a second row and athird column of the two row by three column array.

The color filters arranged in the first row and a second column and inthe first row and the third column of the two row by three column arrayof each of the pixels arranged in the (K−1)th column are the same as thecolor filters arranged in the second row and the first column and in thesecond row and the second column of the two row by three column array ofeach of the pixels arranged in the K-th column, and the color filtersarranged in the second row and the first column and in the second rowand the second column of the two row by three column array of each ofthe pixels arranged in the (K−1)th column are the same as the colorfilters arranged in the first row and the second column and in the firstrow and the third column of the two row by three column array of each ofthe pixels arranged in the K-th column.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a displayapparatus includes a driving circuit part receiving an image signal,converting the image signal into image data, and generating a drivingsignal based on the image data; and a display panel including at leastone pixel in which a plurality of sub-pixels is arranged in an array,wherein the display panel displays an image in response to the drivingsignal, wherein at least two of the sub-pixels each comprise a whitecolor filter and four of the sub-pixels comprise non-white color filtershaving different colors from each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and features of the present invention will become moreapparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof withreference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a display apparatus according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a display panel shown in FIG. 1, accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a sub-pixel shown in FIG. 2,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing polarities of data voltages applied tosub-pixels shown in FIG. 2, according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a backlight unit shown in FIG. 1,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a backlight controller shown in FIG.1, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a waveform diagram showing dimming signals output from thebacklight controller shown in FIG. 7, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 9A to 9G are plan views showing a display apparatus according toexemplary embodiments of the present invention; and

FIGS. 10A to 10C are plan views showing a display apparatus according toexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described morefully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. However,the present invention may be embodied in various different ways andshould not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodimentsdescribed herein.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on,” “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, itcan be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or layeror intervening elements or layers may be present. Like numbers may referto like elements throughout the specification and drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a display apparatus according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan viewshowing a display panel shown in FIG. 1, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional viewtaken along line I-I′ shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a circuit diagramshowing a sub-pixel shown in FIG. 2, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a display apparatus includes a display panel DP, adriving circuit part, and a backlight assembly BLA.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the display panel DP may be aliquid crystal display employing a liquid crystal layer as atransmission type display panel. The display panel DP may also bevarious other types such as an organic light emitting diode displaypanel, a plasma display panel, etc.

The driving circuit part includes a signal controller SC, a data driver(hereinafter, referred to as the data controller) DC, and a gate driver(hereinafter, referred to as the gate controller) GC. The backlightassembly BLA includes a backlight BL for emitting light and acting as alight source for the display panel DP and a backlight controller BLC forcontrolling the backlight BL.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, especially FIG. 3, the display panel DPincludes a first substrate 110, a second substrate 120 facing the firstsubstrate 110 and spaced apart from the first substrate 110, and aliquid crystal layer 130 interposed between the first substrate 110 andthe second substrate 120.

The first substrate 110 includes a plurality of first lines GL1 to GLnextended in a first direction D1 and a plurality of second lines DL1 toDLm extended in a second direction D2 crossing the first direction D1.The second lines DL1 to DLm are insulated from the first lines GL1 toGLn. Hereinafter, the first lines GL1 to GLn will be referred to as gatelines and the second lines DL1 to DLm will be referred to as data lines.

In addition, a plurality of thin film transistors is disposed on thefirst substrate 110. Each of the thin film transistors is connected to acorresponding gate line of the gate lines GL1 to GLn and a correspondingdata line of the data lines DL to DLm.

The display panel DP includes at least one pixel PX. When the pixel PXis provided on the display panel DP in a plural number, the pixels PXmay be arranged in a matrix form of N rows by M columns. In this case,each of N and M is a natural number equal to or larger than 2.

Each pixel PX includes eight sub-pixels SPX arranged in two rows by fourcolumns. For example, a two row by four column array. Each of thesub-pixels SPX includes a pixel electrode PE and a color filter CF.

The pixel electrodes PE are disposed on the first substrate 110. Each ofthe pixel electrodes PE is connected to a corresponding thin filmtransistor TFT of the thin film transistors.

Hereinafter, one sub-pixel SPX will be described in detail withreference to FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 4, the thin film transistor TFTincludes a gate electrode connected to a gate line GL1, a sourceelectrode connected to a data line DLj, and a drain electrode connectedto the pixel electrode PE. When a voltage is applied to the gateelectrode through the gate line GL1, the thin film transistor TFT isturned on. Accordingly, a data voltage applied to the source electrodethrough the data line DLj is charged in the pixel electrode PE throughthe turned-on thin film transistor TFT as a pixel voltage.

As shown in FIG. 3, the color filter CF may be disposed on the secondsubstrate 120. The color filters CF included in the sub-pixels SPX aredisposed corresponding to the pixel electrodes PE, respectively. Thecolor filters CF may have the same area as the pixel electrodes PE andface the pixel electrodes PE.

In addition, the display panel DP includes a common electrode 122 (alsoidentified hereinafter as CE) to form an electric field in cooperationwith the pixel electrodes PE. As an example, the common electrode 122 isdisposed on the second substrate 120 to cover the color filters CF.

In addition, the color filters CF are spaced apart from each other and ablack matrix BM is disposed between the color filters CF to preventlight from being mixed between adjacent color filters CF. The blackmatrix BM may be disposed on the second substrate 120.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the common electrode CE and thecolor filters CF are disposed on the second substrate 120, but theyshould not be limited thereto or thereby. For example, the commonelectrode CE and the color filters CF may be disposed on the firstsubstrate 110.

Referring to FIG. 2, the pixel PX includes eight sub-pixels includingfour sub-pixels each having a color filter CF of a white color W(hereinafter, referred to as the white color filter) and four sub-pixelsrespectively having different color filters R (hereinafter, referred toas the red color filter), G (hereinafter, referred to as the green colorfilter), B (hereinafter, referred to as the blue color filter), and C(hereinafter, referred to as the cyan color filter).

Two sub-pixels SPX arranged in the first row of the two row by fourcolumn array each include the white color filter CF and two sub-pixelsSPX arranged in the second row of the two row by four column array eachinclude the white color filter CF.

Of the sub-pixels SPX, four sub-pixels arranged in the first and secondcolumns of the array are referred to as a first sub-pixel group SPX1 andfour sub-pixels arranged in the third and fourth columns of the arrayare referred to as a second sub-pixel group SPX2.

Among the first sub-pixel group SPX1, the sub-pixel arranged in thefirst row and the first column is referred to as a first sub-pixelSPX1-1, the sub-pixel arranged in the first row and the second column isreferred to as a second sub-pixel SPX1-2, the sub-pixel arranged in thesecond row and the first column is referred to as a third sub-pixelSPX1-3, and the sub-pixel arranged in the second row and the secondcolumn is referred to as a fourth sub-pixel SPX1-4.

Among the second sub-pixel group SPX2, the sub-pixel arranged in thefirst row and the third column is referred to as a fifth sub-pixelSPX2-1, the sub-pixel arranged in the first row and the fourth column isreferred to as a sixth sub-pixel SPX2-2, the sub-pixel arranged in thesecond row and the third column is referred to as a seventh sub-pixelSPX2-3, and the sub-pixel arranged in the second row and the fourthcolumn is referred to as an eighth sub-pixel SPX2-4.

Each of two sub-pixels in the first sub-pixel group SPX1 includes thewhite color filter CF, one of the remaining two sub-pixels in the firstsub-pixel group SPX1 includes a first color filter CF, and the other ofthe remaining two sub-pixels in the first sub-pixel group SPX1 includesa second color filter CF.

Each of two sub-pixels in the second sub-pixel group SPX2 includes thewhite color filter CF, one of the remaining two sub-pixels in the secondsub-pixel group SPX2 includes a third color filter CF, and the other ofthe remaining two sub-pixels in the second sub-pixel group SPX2 includesa fourth color filter CF.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the first, second, third, andfourth color filters CF are different from each other. For instance, thefirst color filter CF is the red color filter R, the second color filterCF is the cyan color filter C, the third color filter CF is the bluecolor filter B, and the fourth color filter CF is the green color filterG. The second color filter CF may be replaced with different colorfilters, such as a yellow color filter, a purple color filter, etc.,however the red, blue, and green color filters R, B, and G are includedin the first to fourth color filters CF.

Thus, the display apparatus including the pixel PX with the colorfilters CF of four colors may have improved color reproducibility.

In detail, each of the second sub-pixel SPX1-2, the third sub-pixelSPX1-3, the sixth sub-pixel SPX2-2, and the seventh sub-pixel SPX2-3includes the white color filter CF.

The first sub-pixel SPX1-1, the fourth sub-pixel SPX1-4, the fifthsub-pixel SPX2-1, and the eighth sub-pixel SPX2-4 include the red colorfilter R, the cyan color filter C, the blue color filter B, and thegreen color filter G, respectively.

In addition, the pixels PX shown in FIG. 2 have the same arrangement,but they should not be limited thereto or thereby. In other words, thearrangement of the pixels PX may be changed as shown in FIGS. 9A to 9G.

Referring to FIG. 1 again, the signal controller SC receives imagesignals Rd, Gd, and Bd and control signals, such as a verticalsynchronizing signal Vsync, a horizontal synchronizing signal Hsync, amain clock signal MCLK, a data enable signal DE, etc., from an externalgraphics controller (not shown). The signal controller SC processes theimage signals Rd, Gd, and Bd and the control signals to be appropriatefor the display panel DP and generates a gate control signal CONT1, adata control signal CONT2, and a backlight control signal CONT3.

The image signals include a red image signal Rd, a green image signalGd, and a blue image signal Bd. Each of the red image signal Rd, thegreen image signal Gd, and the blue image signal Bd includes brightnessinformation and color information. The red image signal Rd, the greenimage signal Gd, and the blue image signal Bd include red, green, andblue color information, respectively.

The signal controller SC generates image data Rd′, Gd′, Bd′, Cd′, W1,W2, W3, and W4 based on the red, green, and blue image signals Rd, Gd,and Bd. The image data includes red image data Rd′, green image dataGd′, blue image data Bd′, fourth color image data Cd′, and four whitecolor image data W1, W2, W3, and W4.

The red image data Rd′, the green image data Gd′, the blue image dataBd′ respectively include the brightness information and the colorinformation of the red image signal Rd, the green image signal Gd, andthe blue image signal Bd.

The fourth color image data Cd′ is generated based on two of the redimage signal Rd, the green image signal Gd, and the blue image signalBd. For instance, when the fourth color image data Cd′ is cyan imagedata, the cyan image data includes color information of a cyan colorobtained by mixing the color information of the blue image signal Bd andthe color information of the green image signal Gd. In addition, whenthe fourth image data Cd′ is the cyan image data it includes brightnessinformation which is smaller than the brightness information of thegreen and blue image signals Gd and Bd.

The four white image data W1, W2, W3, and W4 include color informationof a white color. In addition, the four white image data W1, W2, W3, andW4 include brightness information equal to the smallest brightness levelamong the brightness information of the red image signal Rd, the greenimage signal Gd, and the blue image signal Bd.

The signal controller SC provides the red, green, and blue image dataRd′, Gd′, Bd′, the fourth color image data Cd′, and the four white imagedata W1, W2, W3, and W4 generated based on the red, green, and blueimage signals Rd, Gd, and Bd to the data driver DC.

The gate control signal CONT1 is applied to the gate driver GC. The gatecontrol signal CONT1 includes various signals, such as a verticalsynchronizing start signal STV indicating an output start of a gate-onpulse, e.g., a high period of a gate signal, a gate clock signal CPVcontrolling an output timing of the gate-on pulse, an output enablesignal OE controlling a width of the gate-on pulse, etc.

The data control signal CONT2 is applied to the data driver DC. The datacontrol signal CONT2 includes a horizontal synchronizing start signalSTH indicating an input start of the red, green, and blue image dataRd′, Gd′, and Bd′, a load signal TP indicating an application of datavoltages to the data lines DL1 to DLm, an inversion signal RSV invertingthe polarity of the data voltages with respect to a common voltage Vcom,and a data clock signal HCLK.

The backlight control signal CONT3 is applied to the backlightcontroller BLC. The backlight control signal CONT3 may include the red,green, and blue image signals Rd, Gd, and Bd or the image data Rd′, Gd′,Bd′, Cd′, W1, W2, W3, and W4. The gate driver GC sequentially appliesanalog signals in response to a gate-on voltage Von and a gate-offvoltage Voff to the gate lines GL1 to GLn as gate signals. The gatedriver GC may include a plurality of stages with shift registers.

The data driver DC is connected to the data lines DL1 to DLm of thedisplay panel DP. The data driver DC receives the image data Rd′, Gd′,Bd′, Cd′, W1, W2, W3, and W4 and applies the data voltages to the datalines DL1 to DLm in response to a reference voltage Vref.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing polarities of data voltages applied to thesub-pixels SPX shown in FIG. 2, according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

The data driver DC may apply the data voltages having the polarities asshown in FIG. 5 to the sub-pixels SPX. In more detail, when the datadriver DC applies the data voltages having the polarities as shown inFIG. 5 to the data lines DL1 to DLm, the data voltages applied to thedata lines DL1 to DLm are applied to the sub-pixels SPX through the thinfilm transistors and charged in the sub-pixels SPX.

In this case, the two sub-pixels SPX including the white color filter CFamong the sub-pixels SPX arranged in the first row of the array areapplied with the data voltages having polarities opposite to each other.In other words, when one of the two sub-pixels SPX including the whitecolor filter CF is applied with a positive (+) data voltage, the otherone of the two sub-pixels SPX including the white color filter CF isapplied with a negative (−) data voltage.

Similar to the above-mentioned example, the two sub-pixels SPX includingthe white color filter CF among the sub-pixels SPX arranged in thesecond row of the array are applied with the data voltages havingpolarities opposite to each other.

Although the arrangement of the white color filters CF may be changed tobe different from the above-mentioned arrangement as shown in FIG. 2,the data voltages are applied to the sub-pixels SPX including the whitecolor filters CF in the same manner as described above with reference toFIG. 5.

The two sub-pixels SPX including the white color filters CF satisfy theelectrical neutral condition in a row. Thus, a flicker phenomenon may beprevented from occurring between sub-pixels SPX adjacent to each other,thereby reducing crosstalk.

The backlight assembly BLA receives the backlight control signal CONT3to control the amount of light and the combination of colors provided tothe display panel DP.

When the backlight control signal CONT3 includes the image data Rd′,Gd′, Bd′, Cd′, W1, W2, W3, and W4, the amount of light is controlled ineach area of the display panel DP according to brightnesscharacteristics of the image data Rd′, Gd′, Bd′, Cd′, W1, W2, W3, andW4, and the combination of colors is controlled in each area of thedisplay panel DP according to color characteristics of the image dataRd′, Gd′, Bd′, Cd′, W1, W2, W3, and W4.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a backlight unit shown in FIG. 1,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 isa block diagram showing a backlight controller shown in FIG. 1,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.8 is a waveform diagram showing dimming signals output from thebacklight controller shown in FIG. 7, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

The backlight assembly BLA includes the backlight BL for emitting lightand the backlight controller BLC for controlling the backlight BL. Thebacklight BL is disposed under the display panel DP and provides lightto the display panel DP.

The backlight BL is mounted on a printed circuit board PCB. The printedcircuit board PCB includes a plurality of wires (not shown) to applysignals from the outside to the backlight BL.

The backlight BL is provided on the printed circuit board PCB in aplural number to uniformly provide light to the display panel DP. Thebacklights BL may be substantially simultaneously controlled orindependently controlled.

In addition, the backlight BL includes at least first, second, and thirdlight emitting devices BL-1, BL-2, and BL-3. The first, second, andthird light emitting devices BL-1, BL-2, and BL-3 emit three primarycolors. For instance, the first, second, and third light emittingdevices BL-1, BL-2, and BL-3 may employ a first light emitting diodeemitting a red light, a second light emitting diode emitting a greenlight, and a third light emitting diode emitting a blue light,respectively.

As shown in FIG. 6, the backlight BL may further include at least onefourth light emitting device BL-4 emitting a different color light fromthose of the first, second, and third light emitting devices BL-1, BL-2,and BL-3. The fourth light emitting diode BL-4 may employ a lightemitting diode emitting a cyan light or an emerald light.

Referring to FIG. 7, the backlight controller BLC includes a brightnesscontroller BLC-1 and a color controller BLC-2. The brightness controllerBLC-1 analyzes the brightness characteristics of the image data Rd′,Gd′, Bd′, Cd′, W1, W2, W3, and W4 and outputs a brightness controlsignal S1 based on the analyzed brightness characteristics, and thecolor controller BLC-2 analyzes the color characteristics of the imagedata Rd′, Gd′, Bd′, Cd′, W1, W2, W3, and W4 and outputs a color controlsignal S2 based on the analyzed color characteristics. The brightnesscontrol signal S1 may be a digital signal representing the brightnesslevel of the image data Rd′, Gd′, Bd′, Cd′, W1, W2, W3, and W4, and thecolor control signal S2 may be a digital signal representing the colorlevel of the image data Rd′, Gd′, Bd′, Cd′, W1, W2, W3, and W4.

In addition, the backlight controller BLC includes a dimming controllerBLC-3 receiving the brightness control signal S1 and the color controlsignal S2. The dimming controller BLC-3 modulates a driving voltagesignal VBLA from the outside in response to the brightness controlsignal S1 and the color control signal S2 and outputs a dimming controlsignal S3 including the brightness information and the color informationof the image data Rd′, Gd′, Bd′, Cd′, W1, W2, W3, and W4.

The first, second, and third light emitting devices BL-1, BL-2, and BL-3may be independently driven by the dimming control signal S3 appliedfrom the backlight controller BLC. In this case, the first, second, andthird light emitting diodes BL-1, BL-2, and BL-3 are driven in a timedivision manner.

As shown in FIG. 8, the dimming control signal S3 includes a firstdimming control signal S3-1 to control the first light emitting deviceBL-1, a second dimming control signal S3-2 to control the second lightemitting device BL-2, and a third dimming control signal S3-3 to controlthe third light emitting device BL-3. The first, second, and thirddimming control signals S3-1, S3-2, S3-3 may be sequentially applied tothe first, second, and third light emitting devices BL-1, BL-2, andBL-3.

Each of the first, second, and third dimming control signals S3-1, S3-2,and S3-3 has a level depending on the brightness information and thecolor information of the image data Rd′, Gd′, Bd′, Cd′, W1, W2, W3, andW4. In addition, the amount of the light emitted from each of the first,second, and third light emitting devices BL-1, BL-2, and BL-3 isproportional to the level of each of the first, second, and thirddimming control signals S3-1, S3-2, and S3-3.

As described above, when the first, second, and third light emittingdevices BL-1, BL-2, and BL-3 include red, green, and blue light emittingdiodes respectively emitting the red, green, and blue lights, the firstdimming control signal S3-1 is generated based on the red image dataRd′, the second dimming control signal S3-2 is generated based on thegreen to image data Gd′, and the third dimming control signal S3-3 isgenerated based on the blue image data Bd′.

In addition, only one of the first, second, and third light emittingdevices BL-1, BL-2, and BL-3 may emit light during one frame period Ft.In this case, the sub-pixel SPX including the white color filter CFamong the sub-pixels SPX displays a specific color. In other words, thedisplay apparatus may display the specific color or the white colorusing the sub-pixel SPX including the white color filter.

As described above, the backlight BL may further include the fourthlight emitting device BL-4. The fourth light emitting device BL-4 emitslight different from those of the first, second, and third lightemitting devices BL-1, BL-2, and BL-3. The fourth light emitting deviceBL-4 is driven in synchronization with one of the first, second, andthird light emitting devices BL-1, BL-2, and BL-3.

The dimming controller BLC-3 generates a fourth dimming control signalS3-4 to control the fourth light emitting device BL-4 together with thefirst, second, and third dimming control signals S3-1, S3-2, and S3-3.The fourth dimming control signal S3-4 is output at the same time as oneof the first, second, and third dimming control signals S3-1, S3-2, andS3-3. As shown in FIG. 8, the fourth dimming control signal S3-4 may beoutput at the same time as the first dimming control signal S3-1.

The fourth dimming control signal S3-4 is generated based on the fourthcolor image data Cd′ or based on two image data among the red image dataRd′, the green image data Gd′, and the blue image data Bd′.

The backlight BL further including the fourth light emitting device BL-4may provide a variety of light to the display panel DP. In other words,the display apparatus may have improved color reproducibility by usingthe backlight BL.

FIGS. 9A to 9G are plan views showing display apparatuses according toexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

In the display apparatuses employing the display panels DP shown inFIGS. 9A to 9G, the arrangement of the color filters CF included in thepixels PX are different from that of the display apparatus describedwith reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. Hereinafter, the arrangement of thecolor filters CF included in the pixels PX will be mainly described withreference to 9A to 9G. In addition, the same reference numerals denotethe same elements in FIGS. 1 to 8, and thus detailed descriptions of thesame elements will be omitted.

The display panels DP shown in FIGS. 9A to 9G include at least one pixelPX as described with reference to FIG. 2. The display panels DP mayinclude a plurality of pixels PX arranged in the matrix form of N rowsby M columns. In this case, each of N and M is a natural number equal toor larger than 2.

Each pixel PX includes eight sub-pixels SPX arranged in a two row byfour column array. Each of the sub-pixels SPX includes a pixel electrodePE and a color filter CF.

In addition, two sub-pixels among the sub-pixels SPX arranged in thefirst row of the array each include the white color filter W, and twosub-pixels among the sub-pixels SPX arranged in the second row of thearray each include the white color filter W.

In the display panels DP shown in FIGS. 9A to 9F, the two sub-pixels,each including the white color filter W of the first sub-pixel groupSPX1, are arranged in different columns from each other, and the twosub-pixels, each including the white color W of the second sub-pixelgroup SPX2, are arranged in different columns from each other.

Different from the above-described arrangement, in the display panel DPshown in FIG. 9G, the two sub-pixels each including the white colorfilter W of the first sub-pixel group SPX1 are arranged in the samecolumn, and the two sub-pixels each including the white color filter Wof the second sub-pixel group SPX2 are arranged in the same column.

In the first sub-pixel group SPX1 of each display panel DP shown inFIGS. 9A to 9E, the two sub-pixels each including the white color filterW are alternately arranged with the other two sub-pixels each notincluding the white color filter W.

In the second sub-pixel group SPX2 of each display panel DP shown inFIGS. 9A to 9E, the two sub-pixels each including the white color filterW are alternately arranged with the other two sub-pixels each notincluding the white color filter W.

In the display panel DP shown in FIG. 9A, the pixels PX arranged in aP-th row (P is a natural number equal to or smaller than N) among thepixels arranged in the matrix form of N rows by M columns may includethe color filters CF arranged in the same way.

Referring to FIG. 9A, in each pixel PX arranged in a first row of the Nrows, the first sub-pixel SPX1-1, the fourth sub-pixel SPX1-4, the fifthsub-pixel SPX2-1, and the eighth sub-pixel SPX2-4 may include the redcolor filter R, the cyan color filter C, the blue color filter B, andthe green color filter G, respectively. In addition, in each pixel PXarranged in the first row of the N rows, the second sub-pixel SPX1-2,the third sub-pixel SPX1-3, the sixth sub-pixel SPX2-2, and the seventhsub-pixel SPX2-3 may include the white color filter W. However, thepixels PX arranged in different rows may include the color filters CFarranged in different ways. This is shown, for example, in the secondrow of the N rows in FIG. 9A.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 9B, the pixels PX arranged in a K-thcolumn (K is a natural number equal to or smaller than M) among thepixels arranged in the matrix form of N rows by M columns may includethe color filters CF arranged in the same way. However, the pixels PXarranged in different columns may include the color filters CF arrangedin different ways. This is shown, for example, by the pixels PX in theleft-hand side column of FIG. 9B and the pixels PX in the columnadjacent to the left-hand side column in FIG. 9B.

As shown in FIGS. 9C and 9D, the pixels PX of adjacent columns and rowsin the matrix form of N rows by M columns may each have a differentarrangement of color filters CF.

According to the above described embodiments, the display apparatusincludes eight sub-pixels SPX. The eight sub-pixels SPX include fourwhite color filters W and four color filters R, G, B and C havingdifferent colors from each other. In this case, two sub-pixels SPX ofthe sub-pixels arranged in the first row of the two row by four columnarray and two sub-pixels SPX of the sub-pixels arranged in the secondrow of the two row by four column array each include the white colorfilter W. Thus, the display apparatus may have improved brightness andcolor reproducibility.

In addition, the display apparatus includes the backlight assembly BLAincluding two or more light emitting devices BL-1-through BL-4 emittingcolors different from each other. The sub-pixels SPX including the whitecolor filter W display a predetermined color using the light emittedfrom the light emitting devices BL-1-through BL-4. Accordingly, thecolor reproducibility of an image may be improved.

Further, since the two sub-pixels SPX including the white color filter Wamong the sub-pixels arranged in the first row of the two row by fourcolumn array are applied with data voltages having polarities oppositeto each other and the two sub-pixels SPX including the white colorfilter W among the sub-pixels arranged in the second row of the two rowby four column array are applied with data voltages having polaritiesopposite to each other, the display quality of the display apparatus maybe improved. In other words, flicker and cross-talk may be preventedfrom occurring in the sub-pixels SPX.

FIGS. 10A to 10C are plan views showing display apparatuses according toexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

In the display apparatuses each including the display panels DP shown inFIGS. 10A to 10C, the configuration of the sub-pixels SPX included inthe pixels PX and the arrangement of the color filters CF of thesub-pixels SPX are different from those of the display apparatusdescribed with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. In addition, in the displayapparatuses each including the display panels DP shown in FIGS. 10A to10C, the signal controller SC (refer to FIG. 1) generates the image dataRd′, Gd′, Bd′, Cd′, W1, and W2 based on the red, green, and blue imagedata Rd, Gd, and Bd. The image data Rd′, Gd′, Bd′, Cd′, W1, and W2include the red image data Rd′, the green image data Gd′, the blue imagedata Bd′, the fourth color image data Cd′, and two white image data W1and W2.

The data driver DC (refer to FIG. 1) is connected to the data lines DL1to DLm (refer to FIG. 1) of the display panel DP. The data driver DCreceives the image data Rd′, Gd′, Bd′, Cd′, W1, and W2 and applies thedata voltages to the data lines DL1 to DLm in response to a referencevoltage Vref applied from the outside.

Hereinafter, the arrangements of the sub-pixels SPX and the colorfilters CF will be mainly described with reference to FIGS. 10A to 10C.

Each display panel DP shown in FIGS. 10A to 10C includes at least onepixel PX. The display panels DP may include a plurality of pixels PXarranged in the matrix form of N rows by M columns. In the presentexemplary embodiment, each of N and M is a natural number equal to orlarger than 2.

Each pixel PX includes six sub-pixels SPX arranged in a two row by threecolumn array. Each of the sub-pixels SPX includes a pixel electrode PEand a color filter CF.

As shown in FIGS. 10A to 10C, each pixel PX includes two white colorfilters W and four color filters R, G, B, and C having different colorsfrom each other. The six color filters CF respectively correspond to thesix sub-pixels SPX.

Among the six sub-pixels SPX, the sub-pixel arranged in the first rowand the first column of the array is referred to as a first sub-pixelSPX-1, the sub-pixel arranged in the first row and the second column ofthe array is referred to as a second sub-pixel SPX-2, and the sub-pixelarranged in the first row and the third column of the array is referredto as a third sub-pixel SPX-3. In addition, the sub-pixel arranged inthe second row and the first column of the array is referred to as afourth sub-pixel SPX-4, the sub-pixel arranged in the second row and thesecond column of the array is referred to as a fifth sub-pixel SPX-5,and the sub-pixel arranged in the second row and the third column of thearray is referred to as a sixth sub-pixel SPX-6.

In the present exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10A to 100C, thepixels PX arranged in a K-th column (K is an even number equal to orsmaller than M) among the pixels arranged in the matrix form of N rowsby M columns may include the color filters CF arranged in the same way.

Referring to FIG. 10A, among the pixels PX arranged in the secondcolumn, for instance the second column from the left-hand side of thedisplay panel DP, the first sub-pixel SPX-1 includes the cyan colorfilter C, the second sub-pixel SPX-2 includes the white color filter W,and the third sub-pixel SPX-3 includes the green color filter G. Inaddition, the fourth sub-pixel SPX-4, the fifth sub-pixel SPX-5, and thesixth sub-pixel SPX-6 include the red color filter R, the white colorfilter W, and the blue color filter B, respectively. The rest of thepixels PX arranged in the second column may have this color filter CFarrangement.

In addition, the pixels PX arranged in a (K−1)th column among the pixelsarranged in the matrix form of N rows by M columns may include the colorfilters CF arranged in the same way.

For instance, among the pixels PX arranged in the first column, forexample, the first column from the left-hand side of the display panelDP, the first sub-pixel SPX-1 includes the red color filter R, thesecond sub-pixel SPX-2 includes the white color filter W, and the thirdsub-pixel SPX-3 includes the blue color filter B. In addition, thefourth sub-pixel SPX-4, the fifth sub-pixel SPX-5, and the sixthsub-pixel SPX-6 include the cyan color filter C, the white color filterW, and the green color filter B, respectively. The rest of the pixels PXarranged in the first column may have this color filter CF arrangement.

In addition, even though the display panels DP shown in FIGS. 10A to 10Csatisfy the above-mentioned condition, that is, the pixels PX arrangedin a column may include the color filters CF arranged in the same way;the arrangement of the color filters CF is different in each displaypanel DP.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the two sub-pixels SPX including the white colorfilter W may be arranged in the second column of the two row by threecolumn array in the case of the pixels PX arranged in the K-th columnand the (K−1)th column.

In addition, the color filters CF arranged in the first row of the tworow by three column array of each of the pixels PX arranged in the(K−1)th column may have the same arrangement as the color filters CFarranged in the second row of the two row by three column array of eachof the pixels PX arranged in the K-th column. In addition, the colorfilters CF arranged in the second row of the two row by three columnarray of each of the pixels PX arranged in the (K−1)th column may havethe same arrangement as the color filters CF arranged in the first rowof the two row by three column array of each of the pixels PX arrangedin the K-th column.

As an example, the first sub-pixel SPX-1 and the third sub-pixel SPX-3of each pixel PX arranged in the first column of the matrix form of Nrows by M columns respectively include the red color filter R and theblue color filter B, and the fourth sub-pixel SPX-4 and the sixthsub-pixel SPX-6 of each pixel PX arranged in the second column of thematrix form of N rows by M columns respectively include the red colorfilter R and the blue color filter B. In addition, the fourth sub-pixelSPX-4 and the sixth sub-pixel SPX-6 of each pixel PX arranged in thefirst column of the matrix form of N rows by M columns include the cyancolor filter C and the green color filter C respectively, and the firstsub-pixel SPX-1 and the third sub-pixel SPX-3 of each pixel PX arrangedin the second column of the matrix form of N rows by M columns includethe cyan color filter C and the green color filter G, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 10B, one of the two sub-pixels SPX including the whitecolor filter W is arranged in the first row and the first column of thetwo row by three column array and the other one of the two sub-pixelsSPX including the white color filter W is arranged in the first row andthe third column of the two row by three column array in each of thepixels PX arranged in the K-th column. In other words, the firstsub-pixel SPX-1 and the third sub-pixel SPX-3 may include the whitecolor filter W.

In FIG. 10B, the color filters CF arranged in the second row of the tworow by three column array of each of the pixels PX arranged in the(K−1)th column may have the same arrangement as the color filters CFarranged in the first row of the two row by three column array of eachof the pixels PX arranged in the K-th column.

In addition, the color filters CF arranged in the first row of the tworow by three column array of each of the pixels PX arranged in the(K−1)th column may have the same arrangement as the color filters CFarranged in the second row of the two row by three column array of eachof the pixels PX arranged in the K-th column.

For instance, the fourth sub-pixel SPX-4, the fifth sub-pixel SPX-5, andthe sixth sub-pixel SPX-6 in each pixel PX arranged in the first columnof the matrix form of N rows by M columns may respectively have the samewhite color filter W of the first sub-pixel SPX-1, the same cyan colorfilter C of the second sub-pixel SPX-2, and the same white color filterW of the third sub-pixel SPX-3 in each pixel PX arranged in the secondcolumn of the matrix form of N rows by M columns.

Referring to FIG. 10C, the color filter CF arranged in the first row andthe second column of the two row by three column array and the colorfilter CF arranged in the first row and the third column of the two rowby three column array in each pixel PX arranged in the (K−1)th columnmay be the same as the color filter CF arranged in the second row andthe first column of the two row by three column array and the colorfilter CF arranged in the second row and the second column of the tworow by three column array in each pixel PX arranged in the K-th column.

In addition, the color filters CF arranged in the second row and thefirst column of the two row by three column array and in the second rowand the second column of the two row by three column array in each pixelPX arranged in the (K−1)th column may be respectively the same as thecolor filters CF arranged in the first row and the second column of thetwo row by three column array and in the first row and the third columnof the two row by three column array in each pixel PX arranged in theK-th column.

As an example, the second sub-pixel SPX-2 and the third sub-pixel SPX-3included in each pixel PX arranged in the first column of the matrixform of N rows by M columns include the red color filter R and the bluecolor filter B, respectively, and the fourth sub-pixel SPX-4 and thefifth sub-pixel SPX-5 included in each pixel PX arranged in the secondcolumn of the matrix form of N rows by M columns include the red colorfilter R and the blue color filter B, respectively. In addition, thefourth sub-pixel SPX-4 and the fifth sub-pixel SPX-5 included in eachpixel PX arranged in the first column of the matrix form of N rows by Mcolumns include the cyan color filter C and the green color filter G,respectively, and the second sub-pixel SPX-2 and the third sub-pixelSPX-3 included in each pixel PX arranged in the second column of thematrix form of N rows by M columns include the cyan color filter C andthe green color filter G, respectively.

The display apparatus according to the above embodiment includes sixsub-pixels SPX. The six sub-pixels SPX include two white color filters Wand four color filters R, G, B, and C having different colors from eachother. Thus, the display apparatus may have improved brightness andcolor reproducibility.

Although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed, it is understood that the present invention should not belimited to these exemplary embodiments but various changes andmodifications can be made by one of ordinary skill in the art within thespirit and scope of the present invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display apparatus, comprising: a backlightassembly emitting light; a driving circuit part receiving an imagesignal, converting the image signal into image data, and generating adriving signal based on the image data; and a display panel including atleast one pixel in which a plurality of sub-pixels is arranged in a tworow by four column array, wherein the display panel receives the lightto display an image in response to the driving signal, wherein twosub-pixels of the sub-pixels arranged in a first row of the array eachcomprise a white color filter and two sub-pixels of the sub-pixelsarranged in a second row of the array each comprise a white colorfilter; wherein four sub-pixels arranged in first and second columns ofthe array are a first sub-pixel group, four sub-pixels arranged in thirdand fourth columns of the array are a second sub-pixel group, twosub-pixels of the first sub-pixel group each comprise one of the whitecolor filters, one of the remaining two sub-pixels of the firstsub-pixel group comprises a color filter having a first color, the otherone of the remaining two sub-pixels of the first sub-pixel groupcomprises a color filter having a second color different from the firstcolor, two sub-pixels of the second sub-pixel group each comprise onethe white color filters, one of the remaining two sub-pixels of thesecond sub-pixel group comprises a color filter having a third colordifferent from the first and second colors, and the other one of theremaining two sub-pixels of the second sub-pixel group comprises a colorfilter having a fourth color different from the first, second, and thirdcolors; wherein the two sub-pixels including the white color filters ofthe first sub-pixel group are arranged in the same column and the twosub-pixels including the white color filters of the second sub-pixelgroup are arranged in the same column.
 2. A display apparatus,comprising: a backlight assembly emitting light; a driving circuit partreceiving an image signal, converting the image signal into image data,and generating a driving signal based on the image data; and a displaypanel including at least one pixel in which a plurality of sub-pixels isarranged in a two row by three column array, wherein the display panelreceives the light to display an image in response to the drivingsignal, wherein two sub-pixels of the sub-pixels each comprise a whitecolor filter and four sub-pixels of the sub-pixels comprise colorfilters having different colors from each other.
 3. The displayapparatus of claim 2, wherein the pixel is provided in a plural numberon the display panel, the pixels are arranged in an N row by M columnarray, wherein each of N and M is a natural number equal to or largerthan 2, and wherein the pixels arranged in a K-th column of the pixelsarranged in the N row by M column array comprise the same color filterarrangement, and K is a natural number equal to or smaller than M. 4.The display apparatus of claim 3, wherein the pixels arranged in a(K−1)th column of the pixels arranged in the N row by M column arraycomprise the same color filter arrangement.
 5. The display apparatus ofclaim 4, wherein the two sub-pixels each including the white colorfilter are arranged in a second column of the two row by three columnarray in each of the pixels arranged in the K-th column and the (K−1)thcolumn.
 6. The display apparatus of claim 5, wherein the color filtersarranged in a first row of the two row by three column array of each ofthe pixels arranged in the (K−1)th column are arranged in the samemanner as the color filters arranged in a second row of the two row bythree column array of each of the pixels arranged in the K-th column,and the color filters arranged in the second row of the two row by threecolumn array of each of the pixels arranged in the (K−1)th column arearranged in the same manner as the color filters arranged in the firstrow of the two row by three column array of each of the pixels arrangedin the K-th column.
 7. The display apparatus of claim 4, wherein one ofthe two sub-pixels including the white color filter of each of thepixels arranged in the K-th column is arranged in a first row and afirst column of the two row by three column array, and the remaining oneof the two sub-pixels including the white color filter of each of thepixels arranged in the K-th column is arranged in the first row and athird column of the two row by three column array or in a second row andthe third column of the two row by three column array.
 8. The displayapparatus of claim 7, wherein the color filters arranged in the firstrow and a second column and in the first row and the third column of thetwo row by three column array of each of the pixels arranged in the(K−1)th column are the same as the color filters arranged in the secondrow and the first column and in the second row and the second column ofthe two row by three column array of each of the pixels arranged in theK-th column, and the color filters arranged in the second row and thefirst column and in the second row and the second column of the two rowby three column array of each of the pixels arranged in the (K−1)thcolumn are the same as the color filters arranged in the first row andthe second column and in the first row and the third column of the tworow by three column array of each of the pixels arranged in the K-thcolumn.